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Capitol Events

Capitol Events features news from the Richmond State Capitol during the General Assembly Session – examining the issues of the day, tracking important legislation, and shedding light on the political process.

The General Assembly has passed a bill that would prohibit local governments from requiring contractors to provide compensation or benefits above the state or federal minimum wage.

Democrats objected tried to adjust the bill to require a $10.10 minimum wage for public procurements, though Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam ruled the amendments not germane to the original bill.

Republicans say the bill prevents the artificial inflation of the price of business contracts.

The Senate has rejected a bill that would authorize animal control officers to capture and confine companion animals that are not subject to licensure, if a landowner files a complaint about the animal trespassing on their property.

The legislation was introduced at the request of the animal control association.

Critics of the bill say it is unnecessary as many animal control officers already have the authority to collect such animals.

The House and Senate have approved a bill that would prohibit the sharing of information on those with concealed carry permits in the Virginia Criminal Information Network with law enforcement in states who do not have reciprocity agreements with Virginia for carrying a concealed weapon.

The General Assembly is considering requiring retailers who sell tobacco products, be licensed by the ABC.

It’s an effort to curb the growing problem of cigarette trafficking where smugglers purchase large amounts of cigarettes in Virginia, where taxes are some of the lowest in the country and sell them in New York, where they are the highest.

Senator Bryce Reeves, a former undercover narcotics detective says some of those profits are going to terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbolah.